Friday, August 13th, 2010 at
6:29 pm
When I began practising Tai Chi in 1991 the thing that struck me about it was its power or at least the promise of its power. What I went on to witness and discover was that there was nothing mystical or particularly esoteric about the power of tai chi it was more just a case of doing it, following tai chi’s unique set of principles and just witnessing what arose within me. When I practice my form (sequence of movements) it is never exactly the same but it is always beneficial.
Tai Chi means “the supreme ultimate” and Chuan means, “fist” so Tai Chi Chuan is in fact a martial art despite it’s reputation for just being a gentle meditative exercise. When practiced as a martial art Tai Chi is both effective and powerful (but this takes a lot of practise to even glimpse especially when you learn that in Tai Chi, the main focus is to use the power of the mind in unison with the energy and power of the body to release force in whatever direction you want).
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Thursday, August 12th, 2010 at
5:13 pm
Observing a Tai Chi practitioner as they go through a combination of slow, relaxed and graceful movements (sometimes also called forms or postures) is one of the most beautiful things to sit and take in. Watching them, as they move in an almost hypnotic and controlled slow motion flow (which almost seems effortless) while in a meditative state is truly fascinating and somewhat mysterious. As an accomplish Martial Artist and a Certified Personal Trainer, I have always been drawn to and very intrigued by this ancient Chinese Mind-Body art of Tai Chi.
Although it is actually hard to pinpoint the exact date that Tai Chi originated, it is thought to have been developed around the 12th century A.D. in China. In the beginning, the practice of Tai Chi was originally intended as a means of self-defense, a martial art form (Tai Chi Chuan) but over time people became very aware of the many health benefits of the practice of Tai Chi.
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 at
4:01 pm
Are you interested in buying a Tai Chi DVD? If you are looking to learn Tai Chi from the comfort of your own home, you may be interested in doing so. While buying a Tai Chi DVD is something that doesn’t have to be a long and complicated process, there are a number of factors that you will want to take into consideration. Taking these factors, which are outlined below, into consideration, will not only help to ensure that get to buy a Tai Chi DVD, but that you get to buy one that you can benefit from owning.
Perhaps, the most important factor to take into consideration, when buying a Tai Chi DVD is the video’s content. If you have already started searching for a Tai Chi DVD, you may already know that there are an unlimited number of Tai Chi DVDs available for sale. These DVD are often similar in nature, but their contents will be different. It is advised that you purchase a Tai Chi DVD that involves a professional Tai Chi expert or one who has been practicing Tai Chi for sometime now. Purchasing a Tai Chi DVD with a Tai Chi expert is likely to mean better instructions and, in the end, better results for you.
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Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 at
5:52 am
I’ll always remember my visits to San Francisco and passing groups of older adults in the parks, practicing Tai Chi. Just watching them brought peace, and you could tell they were entirely involved in their activity. It has always interested me, but I have to admit I have yet to experience it. However, just recently, at a Mindful Eating workshop, we did ‘purposeful walking’, taking very slow and controlled steps ‘with intention’. We could feel every single muscle working as we minutely and consciously lifted a foot, moved it forward, and placed it in front of the other one. This reminded me of what Tai Chi might be like.
But what is Tai Chi, why do people practice it, and can anyone do it?
Tai Chi was originally a deadly art, guarded by a few families and used for killing. Traditionalists believe that it is important for students of this ancient art to remember its roots, because the techniques of relaxation and breath control were developed for the express purpose of injuring the opponent in an efficient, scientific manner.
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Monday, August 9th, 2010 at
5:53 am
I was quite surprised when I began searching for research on Tai Chi’s benefits for diabetes . . . it was very difficult to come by. Because on its face, Tai Chi seems to possibly offer many benefits to someone with diabetes. Tai Chi is known to stimulate microcirculation in practitioners, and is a highly effective stress management technique, and very gently burns a significant amount of calories. In fact, Tai Chi may actually help the body find homeostatic chemical levels. For example, in a study on sex hormones Tai Chi was found to have a “balancing effect” on the hormonal chemistry of participants, lowering the abnormally high estrogen levels in older men, while raising the abnormally low estrogen levels in older women.
These findings in other research led me to believe that there had probably been substantial research done on Tai Chi & Qigong’s benefits for those with diabetes, given that these findings in other studies at least initially suggest Tai Chi & Qigong may offer much to the diabetes patient. But, as I said, it doesn’t appear there is much out there in terms of “tai chi & qigong as an adjunct diabetes therapy,” at least from Western institutions.
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Sunday, August 8th, 2010 at
5:52 am
Every morning as you make your way to work, you pass a group of people standing in one place and moving their limbs in slow movement. How is that exercise, you wonder, since nothing vigorous is happening? However, that is exactly how Tai Chi, or ‘Supreme Ultimate Force’ as the Chinese characters translate, works.
What is Tai Chi?
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Saturday, August 7th, 2010 at
4:53 am
Have you heard of a Tai Chi seminar before? Tai Chi seminars are also referred to as instruction classes. If you are interested in taking a Tai Chi seminar, you may be wondering what you could learn when taking one. If so, you are urged to read on.
When it comes to Tai Chi seminars and what you can learn, it is important to remember that no two Tai Chi seminars are actually the same. Different seminars are taught by different professionals, in different amounts of time. When it comes to taking a Tai Chi seminar, it is advised that you closely look at the seminar in question, including the information that will be taught. Despite the possibility of a variance, there are a number of points that are covered in many Tai Chi seminars. Just a few of those points are outlined below.
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Friday, August 6th, 2010 at
3:19 am
Are you interested in learning more about Tai Chi? Tai Chi is a well-known form of Chinese martial art. Tai Chi promotes physical health, and emotional help. It is also important to note that Tai Chi is used by many as self-defense. For that reason, there are a large number of individuals who are interested in learning Tai Chi. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are either unable to take a public Tai Chi training course or do not want to. If you are one of those individuals, did you know that you could still learn Tai Chi, but from the comfort of your own home?
When it comes to learning Tai Chi, as previously mentioned, there are a large number of individuals who do not have time to take an instructional class. There are also a few individuals who are afraid or nervous about taking a public Tai Chi class, with a group of strangers. Whether you are a pressed for time or if you want to avoid potentially weird moments at a training class, it is advised that you purchase yourself a Tai Chi video. Owning a Tai Chi video will not only allow you to learn Tai Chi, but it will also allow you to do so in the comfort of your own home. Being able to learn Tai Chi from your own home is just one of the many benefits to doing so.
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Thursday, August 5th, 2010 at
2:24 am
Are you interested in learning Tai Chi? If you are, your first impulse may be to take a Tai Chi instructional class or buy a Tai Chi video, but did you also know that there are an unlimited number of Tai Chi books also available for purchase? If you are unsure as to whether or not you will actually enjoy participating in Tai Chi, it may be a good idea to buy a Tai Chi book before signing up for an instructional class or course.
When it comes to buying a Tai Chi book, you will find that Tai Chi books come in a number of different formats. A large number of books can be found available for sale and many of these books are written by different authors. For you, this is nice because it tends to give you a large number of products to choose form. When it comes to buying a Tai Chi book, what you will want to do is examine the contents of the book that you are interested in buying. While a large number of Tai Chi books contain different information, some information is commonly displayed in a wide variety of Tai Chi books.
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 at
1:02 am
I have read a number of books, articles, and novels, and have watched movies and television series that touched on the origins of Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing), and the question, “Who Created Tai Chi Chuan?” made me concern very much!
Although knowing the origins or the source of Tai Chi Chuan is not going to have much effects on your learning and practicing of the art, it is my responsibility to share with the masses of what I have found out. And understanding the origins of something that we loved so much about will make us appreciate the understand it better, if not improving our skills.
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 at
12:07 am
One can use many different types of Tai Chi weapons when one is practising Tai Chi Chen moves. When many people think of Tai Chi Chen, they picture people in a transitive state, kind of in a stance, moving slowly with a sort of ritual like dance. Most of us think that Tai Chi is reserved for old people who cannot practice actual martial arts. However, this is not the case. Tai Chi Chen, while movement is slow and ritualistic, has many mind, body and spiritual benefits that can be realized by novice and expert alike. However, most people don’t know that Tai Chi can also be practiced using many different types of weapons. The Tai Chi sword, for instance, is a popular Kung Fu weapon used to practice Tai Chi. When the Tai Chi sword is used, it is used as an extension of your hands, thus transferring the energy from your body into the deadly weapon itself. It’s a beautiful alternative to the unarmed Tai Chi practice moves but caution must be used so that you don’t harm yourself while practicing this ancient eastern art form.
Learning To Use The Tai Chi Chen Sword
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Sunday, August 1st, 2010 at
11:01 pm
Learning Tai Chi
Tai Chi combines movement, meditation and breathing,
to enhance the flow of vital energy in the body, to increase both physical and
mental well-being.
Tai Chi is one of the most broadly applicable systems
of self-care in the world and is suitable for both young and old alike.
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Saturday, July 31st, 2010 at
10:52 pm
Do you know someone who is looking to learn more about the well-known Chinese martial art of Tai Chi? If you are, have you been wondering how you could help to contribute? If you have been, you may want to think about getting that person, whether it be a close friend or relative, a Tai Chi book. Tai Chi books can be very helpful to those who are looking to learn more about Tai Chi or for those who are interested in participating Tai Chi.
Have you, yourself, purchased a Tai Chi book before? If you haven’t done so, you may not know that Tai Chi books come in a number of different formats. While many of these books, regardless of their format, aim to educate readers on the art of Tai Chi, many do so in different ways. For instance, there are Tai Chi books that focus on the history of Tai Chi or the benefits of practicing Tai Chi and there are other Tai Chi books that outline numerous Tai Chi moves. It is also important to note that there are many Tai Chi books that do both, show you Tai Chi and educate you on it.
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Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at
8:20 pm
The movie Karate Kid starring Pat Morita showcased different martial arts uniforms. In Karate, a karate martial artist wears a “key.” Depending on the level of skills, one also wears a belt with certain colors. The highest level of belt color is black. However, in Tai Chi, there are no specific clothes that are required to be worn. Unlike in Karate, Tai Chi does not require a martial artist to wear a specific set of clothes. Tai Chi clothes are in fact simple and not that elegant.
But despite this simply fact, many Tai Chi pros agree that the clothes of a Tai Chi martial artist must contain certain characteristics. One characteristic of Tai Chi clothes is that the clothes must be soft in order to avoid or cause any distraction that can be acquired by wearing hard clothes. One of the perks in doing Tai Chi is relaxation. If you are not wearing soft clothes, then there will be a tendency that you will be uncomfortable. Another characteristic is that the clothes must be light in order to promote lightness in movement. If the clothes are heavy, it might cause obstruction in the smooth execution of Tai Chi movements. In addition, light clothes also improve posture, which is one of the positive effects of Tai Chi.
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Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at
8:34 pm
Are you familiar with the philosopher Lao Tse or Lao Tzu? This Asian philosopher is famous for his Taoist philosophy. The Taoist philosophy espouses the idea of yin and yang. The philosophy of yin and yang represents a balance of two opposing forces. The yin represents the passive side of life and cold. On the other hand, the yang represents the active side of life and warm. Both yin and yang are conflicting and opposites yet both can exist through a medium of balance. This means that both yin and yang can be balanced and can exist altogether despite their conflicting nature.
The Tai Chi symbol is the yin and yang. This symbol represents the conflicting yet balanced nature of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a martial art that is considered by many as oxymoron. It is an oxymoron in the sense that it makes use of striking movements and attack stances but at the same time, it is done in a slow and mild manner that in no way will it be possible to hurt someone. This nature is the yin and yang in Tai Chi.
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Saturday, June 26th, 2010 at
8:32 pm
Many people are interested in learning martial arts because of the many benefits that they can reap from it. Martial art is a good way to stay fit and healthy. Through martial arts, a person will be able to maintain his or her figure and at the same time make the body a lot stronger. Another reason why people are interested in martial arts is because of self-defense. Martial arts equip a person the necessary skills needed to defend oneself from any unlawful aggression. Martial arts also give a person the necessary self-confidence needed in order o succeed in the real world.
One famous type of martial arts is Tai Chi. It is a type of martial arts that balances the elements of yin and yang. Tai Chi is popular among many people because it is said that it promotes relaxation and relives a person from stress. Tai Chi may be executed through bare hands or it can be done through the use of weapons. The most common weapon used in Tai Chi is the sword. The sword used has different types. It may be a broadsword, a straight sword, or even a wooden staff. Usually, many people use these weapons while doing Tai Chi for demonstration purposes.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 at
8:30 pm
If you love movies that highlight martial arts, then you probably know who Bruce Lee is. Bruce Lee was a famous action movie star who had appeared in numerous martial arts movies. He was best known for his martial arts skills that were frequently applied in many of his movie scenes. A lot of people know the late Bruce Lee, but a few know the martial arts discipline that he applied and practiced during his time. Lee’s trademark art is the Tai Chi.
Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that combines both the elements of yin and yang. It is more of an art that deals with relaxing your body and keeping it fit and healthy than as defensive martial arts. Many people even consider Tai Chi as an exercise that keeps the body constantly refreshed and immune to sickness. However, there are also some people who study Tai Chi for self-defense. In Tai Chi lesson, the belief that force must be used to repel another force is not applicable. With this art, self defense is applied by evading aggression and avoiding attack moves until the aggressor becomes tired and exhausted. When this happens, the aggressor can then be easily pushed back.
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Friday, June 18th, 2010 at
8:18 pm
You may have notice a lot of people performing slow motion martial arts at public parks usually during early morning or late afternoon. This is a very common practice in different Asian countries, most especially in China. This scenario is actually a favorite depiction in some Chinese movies that feature martial arts. Although a lot of people notice what is being done, many are still not familiar with this kind of practice. This type of martial arts is called Tai Chi.
Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that is executed through either slow motion strokes or through pushing strokes. The etymological meaning of Tai Chi is “ultimate supreme fist”. It is often practiced by people primarily for health reasons. Since it is believed that Tai Chi encourages meditation, relaxation and good blood circulation, majority of the people who practice the art are those who are part of the older section of the population.
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 at
7:58 pm
It is a popular and common scene in the park to see people jogging, sitting at the bench, biking, and doing Tai Chi. Those people doing Tai Chi are recognizable based on the movements that they are making. You will be able to notice that they are doing slow attack movements as if it is a slow motion of a martial arts scene in a movie. Usually, people engage in Tai Chi because of the many health benefits that it offers. Tai Chi improves posture, strengthens the body, and increases mental awareness. Tai Chi is also known as a stress reliever. Tai Chi can induce relaxation and increase one’s inner peace. This art is also known as Tai Chi Chuan.
Due to the many benefits that Tai Chi Chuan provides, many people aspire to learn it. One way of learning Tai Chi is by attending Tai Chi sessions. A person interested in learning Tai Chi can enroll in a class conducted by personal trainers. Unfortunately, not all people have the free time to attend these workout sessions. Thus, one may resort in buying and using a Tai Chi Chuan DVD in order to learn how to execute the proper Tai Chi movements. One does not have to worry about lack of time to go to the sessions or even the money that will be spent for every lesson. You can just play the Tai Chi Chuan DVD any time and you’ll be able to enjoy and learn your favored martial art. Indeed, this is a great help especially for those busy person who have unrealistic schedules.
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Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at
7:56 pm
Many people are beginning to show interest in Tai Chi. This may sound ironic but it is a proven fact that Tai Chi can serve both as means an exercise and meditation. The rationale behind this nature is the fact that Tai Chi balances both active and passive energy. If you will observe the symbol of Tai Chi, you will notice that it is the yin and yang. Yin and Yang symbolizes two opposing forces that are together because they are balanced. This symbol best epitomizes Tai Chi. This art is extremely popular especially to the elderly as the movements are not that strenuous and difficult to follow. Another good thing about Tai Chi is that learning the art can benefit you not only physically, but also mentally and socially.
The interesting nature of Tai chi is what made people crave learning Tai Chi. A lot of families sign up for sessions together. They do it on a regular basis and learn the most basic to the more advanced forms of Tai Chi. Learning Tai Chi can also be done at the comforts of your own home. By purchasing video lessons, you will be able to learn Tai Chi any time of the day.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at
7:54 pm
Over two million Chinese practice Tai Chi everyday and this number is continuously growing all over the world due to the increasing information on Tai Chi training available on the internet.
When talking about Tai Chi, the common notion of most people involve elderly Chinese who are moving slowly in groups at the park. However, these days, more and more people are getting familiar with Tai Chi training and its numerous benefits to the overall health.
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Saturday, June 5th, 2010 at
7:52 pm
Through Tai Chi meditation, you will get the mental gains of eliminating the stress in your inner core. Also, you can get physical exercise with the movements involved in the art. Tai Chi is the same as yoga in terms of its controlled movements. This control is due to the precise use of muscles in your torso, legs, arms and almost every body part. When done properly, Tai Chi can provide you inner peace and physical sanctity.
Tai Chi meditation is also known as movement meditation and this require you to move your inner self or chi throughout your body in order to reach out and get rid of stress. This is performed by continuous movement of the body, which should be slow but continuous. While practicing this, your mind is entirely focused on your movements that are in control and in perfect alignment with each other.
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Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 at
7:50 pm
There are a lot of experienced and skilled Tai Chi teachers in America and in different parts of the world but finding the right Tai Chi instructor for you may need some effort on your part. Though you can learn Tai Chi through books, videos and online classes, it is still recommended to hire a Tai Chi instructor especially if you are serious about mastering the art.
One of the most important things you have know is the fact that there is so much more about Tai Chi than the various moves involved. The forms or moves are essential especially on the beginning part of the training and it is essential to learn at least some moves but Tai Chi and its remarkable benefits on healing and health should also be taken into account, which is impossible without the help of an instructor who is an expert on the art.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 at
7:46 pm
Tai Chi Chuan is practiced by many people for various reasons. Some individuals practice it for self-defense while others do it for health. However, Tai Chi Chuan is considered as one of the most neglected deadly arts, which can be used efficiently for fighting.
Finding the right Tai Chi Chuan video can be a challenge due to the hundreds of videos available today, especially on the internet. You can get confused with the different kinds and several categories involved. When purchasing a Tai Chi Chuan video, it is important to choose something that teaches in terms of routines and styles and language.
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at
7:45 pm
Tai Chi is a mind and body practice that came from China. The training forms of this art are famous such as the slow motion practices that groups of people perform together in the morning in local parks.
The art is now a popular form of exercise throughout the world because of the many Tai Chi benefits that include dealing with stress and tension. Tai chi focuses on complete relaxation and it is also considered as a form of medication. It can combine the body and the mind, resulting to harmony between the universe and the body. Tai Chi is said to support the overall health of the mind, the spirit and the body with a single daily practice. The art is recommended for everyone, despite the fitness level and health.
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